357 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154. Phone: 9634 2898 Fax: 9680 2282 School email: BernadetteCH@parra.catholic.edu.au

WEBSITE: http://www.stbernadetteschill.catholic.edu.au

No.28 Friday 11th September, 2015

Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

This Saturday a group of our students will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.

For our community this reminds us that each and every day we need to be open to the

gifts of the Spirit. To fully grasp how God's Spirit can work within us, we must

comprehend what the Holy Spirit is. In Scripture the Holy Spirit is described as the

power of God at work in our lives (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13, 19), the same power that

was at work in the ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38).

The coming of the Holy Spirit dramatically changed the lives of early Christians. The

book of Acts is filled with accounts of the early Church's remarkable spiritual impact on

the surrounding society. A transformation was so evident that

nonbelievers accused the Christians of "turning the world upside

down" (Acts 17:6). Such was the dynamic, miraculous power of the

Holy Spirit.

This divine power allows us to be "led by the Spirit of God" (Romans

8:14). It was this same power that transformed the lives of the early

Christians and is the power working in the Church today. Paul told

Timothy that God's Spirit is a "spirit of ... power and of love and of a sound mind" (2

Timothy 1:7). We are reminded, in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, of the variety and

unity of gifts of the Spirit.

We are all gifted in different ways. It is important for us to recognise our giftedness so

that we can celebrate the richness of our lives and what we may contribute in the

world. We each have the responsibility to not only use our gifts but to develop these

gifts for the benefit of others.

We extend a warm congratulations to our children being confirmed. We pray that the

Holy Spirit will renew all their lives, strengthen their relationship with God, and urge

them onward in their faith.

Leanne Nettleton

Principal

Religious Education in Catholic schools has always aimed to develop children's capacity to express their growing understanding, appreciation, thoughts, questions and insights into God, Jesus, the Scriptures, the Church, the Sacraments, Prayer and life as a Christian. This is essential to their participation in the religious life of the school and the parish.

Teachers are continually assessing students' learning and reporting to you on their developing religious literacy. In addition to this school-based assessment, and in consultation with The Religious Literacy Assessment project, managed within the Evangelisation and Religious Education Service Area provides, at a diocesan level, a sustained and systemic approach to the documentation and reporting of students' learning in the key learning area of Religious Education (RE), specifically religious literacy. Celebrating and sharing the good news about students' learning in RE is an important component of this initiative and the Parramatta Diocesan Schools Board.

The assessment of religious literacy focuses on students' knowledge and understanding of the key concepts that

are being addressed by the RE program and the student's ability to communicate within their religious tradition. The Religious Education unit for Year 4 was God’s Forgiveness and Healing. The children were to be assessed on how they explained the messages of Forgiveness and Healing in the parable of the Forgiving Father, explain and relate the message to their own lives and to explain how they can renew their relationship with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children then demonstrated their learning in a Presentation of their choice and a written response. This week Year 4 showcased their finished Presentations to their Parents and other grades.

Mrs Shane Robinson—Religious Education Coordinator

St Bernadette’s School News 2

UNIFORM SHOP The Uniform Shop will be open on Tuesday, 15th September between 8.00am and 10.00am.

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful to celebrate the hard work both Year 4 and

Year 6 students have been engaged in throughout the term. On

Wednesday afternoon, Year 4 held a showcase promoting their

projects as part of the Religious Literacy Assessment for their parents,

whilst on Friday, Year 6 displayed their future entrepreneurial skills

during their Risky Business Market Day.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students on

displaying pride in our school through their exceptional manners and

the way in which they wear their uniform. As the weather is

becoming warmer, students are reminded to ensure they wear the

full correct school uniform each day, including their hat. Please

ensure that all jumpers are clearly labelled with your child’s name, as

our lost property box has become overstocked with lost jumpers and

jackets.

As of Monday 19th October (Week 3, Term 4), all students are

expected to wear their full summer uniform. We appreciate your

support in ensuring that your child wears the correct school uniform

every day.

Musica Viva – music to inspire

As part of this term’s music curriculum, the children have been

singing, playing and moving to a range of contemporary music,

demonstrating their awareness of basic musical concepts.

On Wednesday, 16th September all students will be attending a

musical event showcasing the contemporary music sound of B’tutta.

B’tutta is an Italian percussion ensemble, that strikes their instruments

to perform exciting rhythms and invigorating beats. During the

performance our students will be encouraged to conduct, perform

and improvise with the ensemble.

We know that this will be a wonderful experience for our students.

Rochelle Borg—Acting Assistant Principal

WEEK 10

Mon, 14 Sept MacKillop Athletics Homebush

8.30am Morning Assembly

10am Principal’s Morning Tea—Term 3

Tues, 15 Sept 8-10am Uniform Shop Open

School Banking

Wed, 16 Sept Musica Viva Performance

1.10pm Choir

3-4pm Dance Fever

Fri, 18 Sept Parramatta Diocese Touch Footy Gala

Day

1.40pm Whole School Assembly

TERM 4

Mon, 5 Oct Labour Day Holiday

Tue, 6 Oct Staff & Students return for Term 4

Coming Dates Summer Uniform

Please be advised that stock of summer

uniform is now available. An order form

was emailed to parents with the

e-newsletter last Friday.

In Term 4, Weeks 1 and 2, students are permitted to wear either summer or winter

uniforms (not a mixture) depending on the

weather.

In Term 4, Week 3, we ask that all students

be in their full summer uniform.

Thank you.

St Bernadette’s students again

shine in our community. Congratulations to the group of Year

6 students who were shopping for their Risky Business project at Castle

Towers last week. They were

complimented by other shoppers for their courtesy and friendliness as well

as their manners.

We are extremely proud of all of our Year 6 students who have shown that

they can apply the skills they have

learnt in Maths, English and Science to the real life context of designing,

making, marketing and selling a product. The new NSW Syllabus

followed in primary schools highlights

the importance of primary students being given the opportunity to

develop general capabilities that encompass the knowledge, skills,

attitudes and behaviours that will assist students to live and work

successfully in the 21st Century. The

Risky Business unit of work certainly allows our students to do this in a

relevant and authentic way.

Well done girls and boys on the

application and collaboration that you have demonstrated throughout the

term.

Social Skill: Being a Team Player at St. Bernadette’s

Term 3 Social Skills Weeks 9 & 10

It is easy to get along with people who are like us. It is much more difficult to get along with people who

are different to us.

Our St. Bernadette’s community works best when each member of the team knows their role and works

with others to achieve the goal. It is much more helpful to encourage and support other team members

rather than criticize and putdown.

Sporting teams are an excellent example of good teamwork. Whilst in every team there are some high

profile players, without the other team members they cannot achieve vey much. Good team players

appreciate or value the contributions that their team mates make.

The following sayings help us to remember the importance of teamwork:

There is no “ I “ in Teamwork TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me and more we. None of us is as smart as all of us A team is more than a collection of people. It is the process of give and take.

Family Discussion Starters

What is the best example of teamwork?

Why is being a team player so important?

What sort of people do you find difficult to work with? Which is better- a team of stars or a star team?

Mrs Kathy Watt

St Bernadette’s School News 3

St Bernadette’s School News 4

Good Guy’s Vouchers

Our total is : $236

Thank you for your support!

TUCKSHOP ROSTER FOR: Week 10 Term 3

Parent helpers please arrive at 10.25am for recess

and 12.45pm for lunch

Monday Recess Alice Bradshaw

Lunch Alice Bradshaw

Tuesday Recess

Lunch

Wednesday Recess Lynley Walker

Lunch Gina Zeaiter

Thursday Recess

Lunch

Friday Recess Stacy Daly

Lunch Stacy Daly

Thank you for your help and support in the Tuckshop.

It is very much appreciated.

St Bernadette’s School News 5

Child Protection

A reminder for parents who are required to ‘UPDATE’ their child protection and for ‘NEW’ parents to the school. It is a Diocesan requirement that parents who volunteer at school must complete the Child Protection Module ONLINE. This training is available online at: http://childprotection.parra.catholic.edu.au/training and MUST be completed every two years. This is the new link as of July 2014. All parents must have completed the above prior to helping in the classroom, on excursions, sport days, tuckshop, uniform shop or any help around the school.

Good Guys’ Vouchers

Just a reminder that if you make a purchase

at the Good Guys, to ask for your ‘School

Reward Vouchers’. We put the vouchers

towards prizes for school events and our

Fun Fair which is coming up in October.

Term Dates 2015 Term 3

Mon 13 July to Fri 18 September

Term 4

Tue 6 October to Wednesday 16th December Mon 2 November—STAFF DEVELOPMENT & PUPIL FREE DAY

Thurs 17th & Fri 18th December—Staff Development & Pupil Free Days

Other dates to note:

Christmas Concert—Mon 7th December 2015

Thanksgiving Mass—Fri 11th December 2015

Term 1 Dates 2016

Term 1

Wed 27 Jan— (am) Staff Development Day & (pm) *MAIs

Thurs 28 Jan—Staff Development Day & *MAIs

Fri 29 Jan—Yrs 1 to 6 commence

Mon 1 Feb—Kindergarten 2016 commence

Fri 8 April—Last day Term 1

* MAI (Maths Assessment Interviews)

Parents are reminded that one full term’s notice

must be given for leaving students otherwise a

term’s school fees will be charged.

Rite of Christian Initiation—RCIA

A life changing opportunity

For those considering becoming a Catholic

Christian.

The journey begins on Wednesday 28 October in the

Marian Centre, St Bernadette’s Church, Castle Hill.

The gatherings are every Wednesday 7.30—9pm.

If you are interested, please RSVP to the Church

Office on 9634 2622 by 21 October 2015.

Parish News

Fathers Day Stall Thanks:

A huge thank you to the following mums who helped with the stall last week.

Michelle Towner, Ann Hishion, Alison Silvester, Rosemary Bounassif, Stacy Daly, Monique Doyle, Lolita Suyko, Bernadette

Rushe, Kate Collyer, Adel Kouknas, Alisar Malandrino and Nina

Irwin.

A big thank you to Mellisa Younan who organised the stall.

UNIFORM ROSTER FOR 2016

Voluntary help in our Uniform Shop assists us to offer a great service to our families. If you would like to

help in the Uniform Shop, please complete the form below and return it to the office by Wednesday, 4th

December. If you volunteer , you will be helping between 8am and 10am on a Tuesday morning.

You must also have completed the Child Protection Course online in the last 2 years.

This is a simple process and you can do this by logging on to: www.parra.catholic.edu.au/training or visit

our website.

I, ……………………………………...……………(Name, please print)

Mobile Number ……………………...………...…

c/o Eldest child in Class: ………...…………….

am available *1st, *2nd, *3rd, *4th or *5th Tuesday in the

month.

(*please circle) in month/s: ……………

am available any Tuesday, please roster me as appropriate.

For any queries, please contact Therese Qasabian

Uniform Roster Co-ordinator on 9659 8171

Tuckshop Roster for 2016 The operation of our Tuckshop relies on the voluntary help of our parents. If you are interested in being a parent helper to serve

in the Tuckshop either at recess or lunchtime, please fill in the form below and return to the office by Wednesday, 4th

December. You must also have completed the Child Protection Course online in the last 2 years. This is a simple process

and you can do this by logging on to: www.parra.catholic.edu.au/training or visit our website.

Please contact Stacy Daly on 0409 994 838 or email: stacyd@tpg.com.au

TUCKSHOP ROSTER FOR 2016

I, ………………………………(Name, please print) Mobile Number…………………………Email address: ……………………………

am currently on ………………………...…………. and will help on this day next year.

please nominate week and day of the month:(eg. third Monday)

am currently on …………………………...………. and would like to change to ………………………

am currently on …………………………….…….. but I am not available to help next year.

am not on the roster but would like to help next year on ……………………………….……………….

am able to help between 10.25 and 11am ‘recess’ duty ……………………………………

am able to help between 12.45 and 1.45pm ‘lunch’ duty ……………………………………………….

Eldest child’s name: ……………………………… Class: ……………………………...

If you would like to help out in the Uniform Shop or Tuckshop next year—please complete the

form(s) and return to the school office. Thank you.

Book Covering

Calling all mums and

dads—your help is required

to cover books for the

school. All equipment is

provided. If you can spare

an hour or two—please

contact the school office

9634 2898. Thank you.

Parents Representative Council Keynote Presentation—Saturday 17th October

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg—Strictly Parenting—Everything you need to know about raising school aged

children RSVPs essential to prepparraevents@hotmail.com

Term 4, 2015—Monday 16 November 2015 (General Meeting)

Presentation: All students are gifted and talented … identifying personalised pathways to success.

Presenters: Tim Hardy (Team Leader—Numeracy, CEDP) & Anthony McElhone (Principal, St Oliver’s PS,

Harris Park

NORTH ROCKS SOCCER CLUB

Term 3 Holiday Camp 6—12 Year olds

Sept 22, 23 and 24 9—12 midday

$119—Limited position available

Register now at www.spanishfootballacademy.com.au

Summer Skills Training 6—12 Year Olds

North Rocks Park, North Rocks

Term 4 kicks off Mon 12 October & Term 1 1 Feb 2016

Training Mondays 6—7pm

Just $119

Register now at www.spanishfootballacademy.com.au